Strategy Identification

WHAT

Strategic planning is a comprehensive process for determining the vision of a business, i.e., what it should become and how it can best achieve that goal. It explicitly links the business’s goals and objectives to the actions and resources required to achieve them (Bain & Company, 2017). Strategy Identification is a systematic process to describe an organization’s vision and mission, evaluate strengths and opportunities, and develop strategies to achieve its goals. This process can also be conducted at a business unit level or a department level.

Our Strategy Identification model follows these steps:

Describe your vision - What would your organization look like if you achieved your goal?

Identify obstacles to achieving your goal.

Identify strengths and opportunities that could help you achieve your goal.

Based on your key strengths and opportunities, identify strategies to achieve your goal.

WHO

This model can be used by directors of strategy, department heads, and business unit heads.

WHY

“Knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing (your mission), where you’re trying to go (your vision), and how you’re going to go about it (your values) are the glue that holds an organization together” (OnStrategy, 2018). Every day, businesses are bombarded with bestselling ideas and practices for creating value. For them to be true to their goals, they need a well-articulated vision that guides their decisions and an awareness of their strengths and weaknesses.

“A company’s success depends on having a solid vision for the future and employing an engaged team that is dedicated to making that vision a reality. A clear vision helps companies run more efficiently by keeping everyone on the same page” (Lavoie, 2017).

Strategies should look not only inward into the organization for strengths and obstacles but also outward at the competition and business environment for opportunities to meet your goals (Reh, 2017). Before you choose a strategy for your goal, it is necessary to identify and evaluate the consequences of all possible courses of action.

HOW

1) VISION

1) NOODLE & TAG: What would you look like if you achieved this goal? Categorize your insights.

2) COMBINE to eliminate duplicates and move forward with only unique insights.